Jerron McMillian » Packer Update

Ranking The Rookies: Jerron McMillian

Posted by Michael Rodney at 9:16 am 12 Responses »

Mar 092013

Fourth-round draft pick from Maine played more than expected last season

The Green Bay Packers began the season with 10 rookies on the 53-man roster. That’s a pretty high number – especially for a team than won 15 games the previous year. But GM Ted Thompson didn’t hang on to all those rookies to save money or to make himself look good. He kept them because they could play. In fact, seven have played significant roles in the team’s march to its second straight NFC North title.

I’ll be ranking the rookies – from least productive to most productive – over the next couple of weeks. Here’s #4:

Story of 2012: Most draftniks had never even heard of Jerron McMillian prior to the draft. That’s why they’re draftniks and not GMs. The former Maine star looked like he belonged from day one. He has the athleticism to cover tight ends and the physicality to make receivers think twice about catching passes over the middle. What he doesn’t have, however, is experience. McMillian is as green as grass, and that’s why his snaps were limited in the second half of the season. Nevertheless, he still played a prominent role for a team that won a division title – a role that only figures to expand in the future.

What to expect in 2013: With the release of Charles Woodson, the Packers will need a new starting safety opposite Morgan Burnett next season. That player could come from free agency or the draft, but my money is on McMillian. He made too many mental mistakes in 2012, but that was to be expected from a rookie from Maine. If he cleans up the mental part of things, there’s no denying his physical ability. Other than being a tad on the short side, he has everything a team looks for in a 21st century safety.

McMillian Was Worth The Money

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:27 am No Responses »

Feb 052013

Rookie safety Jerron McMillian played more than expected this season

We all know that cornerback Casey Hayward was the best player among this season’s draft choices, but do you know who was the best bargain? According to an interesting article by Eric Oehler of the National Football Post, the answer is safety Jerron McMillian. The fourth-round pick from Maine was paid $465,146 in 2012 and played 765 snaps for Green Bay. That means he cost the team only $608 per snap.

Conversely, fifth-round pick Terrell Manning provided the least bang for the buck. The former North Carolina State standout, who was plagued by a serious stomach illness throughout training camp, was paid $9,838 per snap. The team is obviously hoping to get a much better return on its investment next season.

The best bargain among all the draft picks in the league was Oakland linebacker Miles Burriss. The fourth-rounder from San Diego State cost the Raiders a mere $446 per snap. The player who proved to be the biggest waste of money was San Francisco receiver A.J. Jenkins. The first-rounder from Illinois played only 37 snaps, but was paid $1.26 million. That’s a whopping $34,140 for every time he stepped on the field.

Oehler’s list didn’t include undrafted rookies, but if it did, linebacker Dezman Moses and tackle Don Barclay would’ve ranked as two of the better bargains. Moses cost $608 per snap and Barclay came in at $876. Is it any wonder the front office puts so much time and effort into finding and then signing UDFAs?

No Secondary For Old Corners

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:33 am 6 Responses »

Dec 272012

The Packers have played very well on defense without injured safety Charles Woodson

Packers have played very well on defense without injured star Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson keeps wanting to return, and the Packers keep telling him to wait. If possible, they’d probably like him to wait until about the middle of February. That’s because the pass defense has been markedly better since the future Hall of Famer left Lambeau Field on Oct. 21 with his right arm in a sling.

Granted, the Packers have faced some pretty crappy quarterbacks since then. Blaine Gabbert, John Skelton, Christian Ponder and Jake Locker made some decisions and threw some passes that would make a junior in high school cringe. But it’s not about the opposition. It’s about the young defensive backs on the Packers who have gotten a chance to play while Woodson and his broken collarbone healed.

Rookie Casey Hayward replaced him in the nickel and has played well enough to be ranked as the second-best corner in the league by Pro Football Focus. After a shaky start, fellow freshman Jerron McMillian has continued to improve as a slot corner in the dime. And M.D. Jennings has done a solid job at safety. He doesn’t support the run as well as Woody, but he has a bit more range and a lot less inclination to freelance.

Former Giants GM George Young once said that “football is a young man’s game.” He was 100% right. There’s a reason why there are so few players over 35 in the NFL. Mike McCarthy benched one geezer (Jeff Saturday) last week, but I can’t imagine him or Dom Capers doing the same thing to Woodson. So the best we can hope for is that the coaches use some common sense and limit his role if and when he returns.

Packers Need Young Players To Grow Up

Posted by Michael Rodney at 12:50 pm 3 Responses »

Dec 082012

Rookie linebacker Dezman Moses has started the past three games for the Packers

With Cedric Benson, Bryan Bulaga, Nick Perry, Desmond Bishop and D.J. Smith out for the season, to win the Super Bowl, the Green Bay Packers will have to overcome even more than they did two years ago. In order for that to happen, a number of rookies will have to step up late in the season. Bulaga, James Starks and Frank Zombo did just that in 2010. Here’s hoping the following players can follow suit:

DON BARCLAY: The undrafted rookie saw his first action of the season last week against the Vikings, and while he didn’t play particularly well at right tackle, he didn’t embarrass himself either. That in itself is encouraging. I’ve been saying for weeks that the Packers can’t win a Super Bowl with T.J. Lang at right tackle and Evan Dietrich-Smith at left guard, and I’m pretty sure the front office and the coaching staff agrees. That means Barclay has to play competently enough to allow Lang to move back to his natural position.

JEREL WORTHY: While fellow second-round pick Casey Hayward has been a stud at corner, Worthy has been a relative non-factor on the defensive line. The former Michigan State star was supposed to add juice to the pass rush, but he’s been less effective in that regard than both Mike Neal and Mike Daniels – neither of whom have exactly set the world on fire. Without a bona fide pass rusher opposite Clay Matthews, the defense desperately needs Worthy to morph into a poor man’s Cullen Jenkins ASAP.

DEZMAN MOSES: The undrafted rookie will probably lose his starting job when Matthews returns, but he won’t fade into oblivion. Not with Erik Walden beginning his annual post-Thanksgiving slide. Moses needs to do a better job at the point of attack, but he hustles and he has enough edge speed to give certain tackles a difficult time. Like I said before, the defense desperately needs a second rusher to emerge. If it’s not Worthy, it has to be Moses. Otherwise, this journey isn’t ending in the Promised Land.

JERRON McMILLIAN: I don’t want to see Charles Woodson in the slot when he returns, but I have a feeling that’s where the future Hall of Famer will line up in the dime. If that’s the case, either McMillian or M.D. Jennings will have to play opposite Morgan Burnett. Both youngsters have taken a lot of snaps this season, and both have done a decent job. But decent won’t be good enough come January. One of the two will have to elevate his game a notch, and I think McMillian has the better chance of doing just that.

New-Look Defense Bounces Back

Posted by Michael Rodney at 2:54 pm 10 Responses »

Sep 152012

Rookie Jerron McMillian was part of a revamped and improved secondary on Thursday

The Bears’ porous offensive line and bewildered quarterback made the Packers’ newly configured defense look like the Steel Curtain on Thursday night. Don’t expect to see that kind of performance every week, but with Jerron McMillian and Casey Hayward in and M.D. Jennings and Jarrett Bush out, you also shouldn’t expect to see too many repeats of what happened versus the 49ers. Look for the D to settle in somewhere in between – and that should be good enough to keep Green Bay atop the NFC North.

Here are 3 thoughts on the defense following the Packers’ 23-10 beat down of the Bears:

1) The pass rush was awesome, but don’t get too excited. After re-watching the first two games, I still see only one player (Clay Matthews) with the ability to consistently win one-on-one battles. And let’s be honest, very few teams are going to let CMIII dominate the way Chicago did. A second threat will have to emerge. It could be top picks Nick Perry or Jerel Worthy, but neither has shown that type of ability yet. Interestingly, the second and third most effective pass rushers against the Bears were probably Mike Daniels and Dezman Moses. Both unheralded rookies deserve more snaps against Seattle next Sunday.

2) I don’t know who was wearing No. 37 in August, but it wasn’t Sam Shields. Fortunately, the real Sam Shields showed up when the calendar flipped to September. The third-year pro from Miami was solid in a limited role versus the 49ers and very good as the starting right corner on Thursday night. Shields has regained the swagger he exhibited as a rookie in 2010. Just as importantly, he’s also showing a willingness to be physical. With Morgan Burnett giving Tramon Williams help over the top against Brandon Marshall, the coaches trusted Shields to handle Chicago’s impressive rookie Alshon Jeffery all by himself. He was up to the challenge. Jeffery caught only 1 pass for 7 yards. Give some credit to the pass rush that didn’t allow Cutler to get the ball down the field, but give most of the credit to Shields. He covered like white on rice and he never allowed his size disadvantage to become an issue.

3) Defending the middle of the field is still going to be a problem. Jay Cutler didn’t have the time, or in some cases, the vision to find open receivers, but they were there most of the night. D.J. Smith was much improved against the run and he showed explosiveness as a blitzer, but his cover skills leave a lot to be desired. The former Appalachian State star lacks the height to cover tight ends and the speed to stay with backs. You can be sure that he’ll be exploited by any QB who’s given the time to find that matchup. I begged coordinator Dom Capers to replace Bush and Jennings. That worked out pretty well. My next suggestion is to replace Smith. Give Robert Francois or Brad Jones a chance. They’re not speedy either, but they’re taller and more fluid. Both players can flip their hips and get good depth in their coverage drops.

Weaknesses Exposed In Loss To Niners

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:05 am 7 Responses »

Sep 112012

Starting nickel safety M.D. Jennings struggled in the opener against the 49ers

Anyone surprised that the Packers couldn’t stop quarterback Alex Smith and the 49ers’ offense either doesn’t read this blog or didn’t pay enough attention during the month of August. No team has more holes in its nickel and dime packages than Green Bay, and every one of them was exposed on Sunday afternoon.

Starting right cornerback (I still can’t believe I’m writing that) Jarrett Bush deserves no blame for what happened. He actually performed as well as could be expected – and that’s the problem. The career special teamer has no business playing – let alone starting – on defense. I thought it was a joke when Bush opened training camp atop the depth chart. Six weeks later, the only peope laughing are opposing quarterbacks.

I’m no expert, but it took me all of three practices to see that M.D. Jennings wasn’t ready to start in the sub-packages. And yet, there he was, lining up opposite Morgan Burnett in the nickel and dime. To the surprise of nobody (except the coaches), he was a liability. Jennings lacks experience, and he doesn’t have the physical skills to compensate. Jerron McMillian eventually replaced him, and the rookie from Maine figures to keep the job. Whether that translates to improved play at the position remains to be seen.

I’m not sure anything can be done to fix things at this late date, but coordinator Dom Capers needs to try something. I would start Sam Shields at right corner and insert McMillian and fellow rookie Casey Hayward in the dime. Will that help? I’m not sure, but it can’t hurt. Of course, what the defense really needs is a fierce pass rush. That means young players like defensive end Jerel Worthy and outside linebacker Nick Perry have to win more one on one battles than they did four days ago against San Francisco.

Fake Game Has Real Implications

Posted by Michael Rodney at 9:39 am 6 Responses »

Aug 302012

Undrafted rookie offensive lineman Don Barclay is closing in on a roster spot

The Green Bay Packers will conclude the exhibition season tonight against the Chiefs. There’s little reason for the starters to play or for fans to watch. But if you do decide to spend three hours in front of the tube or in the stadium, here are 10 players to keep an eye on. Tonight’s game could be their Super Bowl.

OL DON BARCLAY - The coaching staff seems to think he can function at tackle – even though most scouts projected him solely as an inside player. The more he can do, the better his chances to stick on the final roster.

WR DIONDRE BOREL - Thompson probably doesn’t want to give up on Borel just yet, but the former quarterback is running out of time to prove his worth. He needs to make some plays on offense and/or special teams.

TE BRANDON BOSTICK - Started training camp as the longest of long shots, but he’s made some athletic plays, and just as importantly, he’s been accountable. A spot on the practice squad is a real possibility.

DE LAWRENCE GUY - He’s improved a bit each week, but he’s still no better than seventh or eighth in the pecking order. He’ll need to really stand out if he wants to avoid a trip to the practice squad.

QB GRAHAM HARRELL – His spot on the roster is probably secure, but a poor performance could force GM Ted Thompson and coach Mike McCarthy to do what they don’t want to do – explore other options.

LB TERRELL MANNING - Thompson very rarely gives up on draft picks this soon, but Manning has been as quiet as a mouse all summer. He needs to make some noise to ensure he’ll still be around on the weekend.

S JERRON McMILLIAN - A mistake-free game should earn him the nickel/dime safety position. A mental mistake or two could open the door for M.D. Jennings to reclaim the job he was handed in the spring.

RB BRANDON SAINE – He needs to force Thompson to either dump projected starter James Starks or carry a fourth running back. He can do that by running hard, catching a few passes and protecting well.

CB SAM SHIELDS - He’s looked better lately, but he’s not close to where he was at the end of the ’10 season. The coaches are looking for a reason to play him over Bush at right corner. He needs to give them one.

OL REGGIE WELLS – With Evan Dietrich-Smith expected to back up at center and both guard positions, Wells needs to prove that he could play tackle in an emergency. He should get that chance tonight.

Packers Have Problems In Secondary

Posted by Michael Rodney at 2:59 am 8 Responses »

Aug 232012

Veteran Jarrett Bush is still atop the depth chart at right cornerback

The regular season begins for the Green Bay Packers in less than three weeks, and as of right now, special teams star Jarrett Bush will be the starting right cornerback and either M.D. Jennings, Jerron McMillian or Anthony Levine will be the starting safety in sub-packages. That should scare the living hell out of every fan, and it should cause sleepless nights for defensive coordinator Dom Capers and his staff.

As of now, the Packers aren’t as good at either position as they were a year ago, and they were pretty lousy at both positions a year ago. Young Sam Shields regressed badly in his second season at right corner and veteran Charlie Peprah struggled enough against the pass to lose his roster spot late last month.

The Packers have tried desperately to replace Bush since the first week of August, but an injury to Davon House and the uneven play of second round draft pick Casey Hayward has left the seven-year veteran with the ball skills of a blind juggler back atop the depth chart less than three weeks before the opener.

Jennings began camp as a starter in sub-packages, but I was unimpressed after watching him earlier in the month. It’s beginning to look as if the coaches feel the same way. McMillian and Levine have taken quite a few snaps with the starters in recent days, as Capers looks to find an answer opposite Morgan Burnett.

Sometimes a position remains unsettled in late August because all the competitors are playing so well that making a decision is extremely difficult. Unfortunately for Green Bay, that’s not what’s happening at right cornerback and nickel safety. The only reason decisions still haven’t been made is because none of the competitors have played well enough this summer to earn the positions. That’s a big problem.

Notes On A Preseason Game

Posted by Michael Rodney at 2:12 pm 9 Responses »

Aug 172012

Rookie wide receiver Jarrett Boykin caught 5 passes against Cleveland

The title of this post pays homage to Notes On a Scandal - one of the most underrated movies in recent years (in fact, I should’ve watched it again rather than waste over three hours of my life on whatever that mess was last night). Anyway, here are 5 thoughts from the Packers’ 35-10 loss to Cleveland:

1) Rookie receiver Jarrett Boykin did what neither Diondre Borel nor Tori Gurley has been able to do this summer – he stepped up. The former Virginia Tech star does not have explosive top-end speed, but he has reliable hands, tracks the ball well and can adjust to off-line throws. If any young receiver deserves a spot on the final 53, it’s Boykin. That said, I still expect him to start the season on the practice squad.

2) There’s no question Andrew Datko is getting better. He gave up the inside a few times in the second quarter, but for the most part, he did a solid job at left tackle. If the rookie keeps improving, he should find a spot on the final roster. But he won’t play this season unless there’s an emergency. He needs a year in the weight room before he’s ready to contend with some of the stud pass rushers in the NFC North.

3) It’s still very early, but so far the inside pass rush doesn’t look much better than it did a year ago. Rookie Jerel Worthy has plateaued after a fast start. The former Michigan State star has a really quick first step, but he’s been far more effective in one-on-one drills at Nitchke Field than he’s been in the first two exhibition games. He’s been slow to shed blocks and he needs to use his hands a lot better. It’s a lot of pressure to put on a 22-year-old kid, but the Packers really need him to come through this season.

4) I hate to compare any second-year player with three career starts to five-time Pro Bowler Sam Mills, but I think it’s warranted in the case of D.J. Smith. He’s one of the most instinctive inside linebackers I’ve seen in a long time. He reads his keys fast and is quick to make zone drops. Whether he’s athletic enough to keep up with quality backs and tight ends in coverage remains to be seen, but I wouldn’t bet against it.

5) After watching Jerron McMillian at practice a few weeks ago, I praised the hard-hitting rookie safety. He then proceeded to struggle in the preseason opener in San Diego. But last night against Cleveland, the former Maine star looked like the player I saw earlier this month. He was a physical presence near the line of scrimmage, blowing up a pair of runs in the second quarter. That’s clearly the strength of his game right now, but he has the athletic ability to be a complete safety. It’s just going to take some time.

Packers Are Loaded With Young Talent

Posted by Michael Rodney at 11:50 am 2 Responses »

Aug 052012

Running back Brandon Saine will be difficult to keep off the field this season

GREEN BAY- My sojourn to Titletown is over, but not before I had a chance to attend practice on Thursday and the scrimmage on Friday night. Here are three under-the-radar players who impressed me:

1) BRANDON SAINE- A few years ago, Jim Tressel called his star player “as good as a receiver as any running back in America.” The disgraced former Ohio State coach wasn’t lying for once. Saine is very skilled out of the backfield. He has soft hands and he reacts naturally to throws. He was also the most dependable pass protector among all the backs I watched the past two practices. He’s going to get plenty of snaps this season. In fact, if he had better natural running skills, he might never leave the field.

2) JAMARI LATTIMORE – More than a few people scoffed last summer when I wrote that this young man was a better player than Vic So’oto. That opinion is no longer debatable. While So’oto is sinking down the depth chart at outside linebacker, Lattimore is thriving on the inside. A year ago, his terrific speed and explosiveness were often negated by athletic offensive tackles who outweighed him by as much as 100 pounds, but those same attributes will cause interior linemen fits. He’s not ready just yet, but don’t be surprised if he’s competing with D.J. Smith for A.J. Hawk’s starting position a year from now.

3) JERRON MCMILLIAN – M.D. Jennings is receiving a lot of attention because he’s currently one of the two safeties on the field in sub-packages, but I’m not sure how long that’s going to last. McMillian will be the better player; it’s only a matter of time. The fourth-round pick from Maine is extremely raw, but he’s much more talented than Jennings. He’s bigger, faster and stronger. He also appears to be smart, coachable and hardworking. Once he stops thinking and just starts reacting, he’s going to get on the field. Whether that happens in the next few months or not until the 2013 season is the only question.

Is Safety The New Outside Linebacker?

Posted by Michael Rodney at 10:49 am 7 Responses »

Jul 192012

General manager Ted Thompson hasn’t done many things wrong since being hired by the Green Bay Packers in 2005, but waiting too long to acquire a stud outside linebacker to pair with perennial Pro Bowler Clay Matthews was a definite mistake. While the defense managed to perform well in 2010 with Brad Jones, Erik Walden and Frank Zombo taking turns in the starting lineup, that was unlikely to last – and it didn’t. Playing without a high-quality linebacker opposite Matthews obviously isn’t the only reason the defense is coming off an awful season (a league-record 5,237 passing yards allowed), but it was a major part of the problem.

Thompson finally addressed the problem by drafting Nick Perry in April, and while there’s no guarantee that the former USC star is going to find success in the NFL, at least he has the potential to be a difference maker. The same can’t be said of any of the players who started opposite Matthews in 2010 and 1011. That brings me to the point of this post. I feel the same way about the safety position opposite Morgan Burnett going into this season as I felt about the outside linebacker position opposite Matthews going into the past two seasons. I see it as a potentially big problem – a potentially big problem that Thompson hasn’t done nearly enough to fix.

Besides not having a second pass rusher, the other thing that killed the defense last season was the loss of Nick Collins in week 2. Slow-footed journeyman Charlie Peprah started the final 14 games, and while he amassed 94 tackles and 5 interceptions, he also missed 12 tackles, gave up 4.5 touchdowns and was exploited by clever, and some not so clever, offensive coordinators on a weekly basis. The defense survived with Peprah in the starting lineup for 12 games in 2010, but that’s only because the pass rush was fierce and Collins was lined up on the opposite side of the field.

Thompson needed to do more in the offseason than draft Jerron McMillian in the fourth round. The former Maine star might become a solid starter in the NFL, but the odds of that happening this season aren’t very good. The odds are better that either Peprah, M.D. Jennings or Anthony Levine will open the season opposite Burnett. Look, I realize that the coaches seem to like the two former undrafted free agents and I know this organization is all about developing young players, but I can’t help think of Walden, Jones and Zombo when I think of Peprah, Jennings and Levine.

If I were Thompson, I would’ve signed a veteran in the offseason. Sean Jones would’ve made sense as an inexpensive free agent. Heck, I’d take the currently unemployed Jim Leonhard (if healthy) over Peprah as well. But that’s probably not going to happen. So can the defense get back on track with substandard play at one of the safety positions? It could, but only if the pass rush improves greatly and Burnett plays better than he did a year ago. Otherwise, the last line of defense figures to be just as big an albatross this season as the right outside linebacker was in 2011.

Even Packers Have Some Concerns

Posted by Michael Rodney at 7:44 am 10 Responses »

May 222012

Unproven Graham Harrell figures to be the backup QB

The Packers have won 29 games, including a Super Bowl, in the past two seasons. They are also one of the youngest and deepest teams in the league. But that doesn’t mean the defending NFC North champs are without flaws. Here are five areas of concern heading into 2012:

Backup quarterback - While it’s true that most teams would be in big trouble if their starting quarterback got seriously injured, it’s also true that most teams have a more proven backup than Graham Harrell. Maybe the former Texas Tech star will develop into the next Matt Flynn, but I could see him just as easily performing like Caleb Hanie. In fact, I think that’s a more likely scenario. Harrell is a smart player, but his arm strength is extremely limited. Could the Packers win with him at quarterback? Well, Houston did OK with T.J. Yates at the end of last season. Then again, the Texans also had one of the NFL’s best rushing attacks and a very stout defense that gave up just over 17 points per game.

Pass rush - Outside linebacker Clay Matthews was the defense’s only consistent pass rusher last season, and even the three-time Pro Bowler had stretches of ineffectiveness. GM Ted Thompson drafted Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy and Mike Daniels in an effort to rectify the problem. And while those three young players should help, it remains to be seen just how much. It’s not like Green Bay added Mario Williams or even Kamerion Wimbley in the offseason. Defensive coordinator Dom Capers needs at least one of the rookies to step up and become an impact pass rusher. A wild card to keep an eye on is fifth-round pick Terrell Manning. The former North Carolina State star has natural blitz ability.

Safeties - After Nick Collins’ neck injury in week 2, Morgan Burnett and Charlie Peprah spent the next 15 games trading off missed tackles and blown assignments. I’ll cut Burnett some slack. He was coming off ACL surgery and he played with a broken hand for months. The former Georgia Tech star should be much improved in ’12, but that’s only wishful thinking at this point. Peprah regressed last season after holding his own in 2010. He really struggled without Collins opposite him and without a consistent pass rush in front of him. He also struggled because offensive coordinators did a better job of taking advantage of his physical limitations. Capers desperately needs Burnett to blossom in his third season and for a young player like Jerron McMillian or Anthony Levine to step in and replace Peprah. Both things could happen, but if they don’t, the last line of defense will be a major problem once again.

Defensive coordinator - The defense had no business being as bad as it was last season – even with the personnel issues. Capers was painfully slow to adjust on a weekly basis. To be honest, he looked like a guy who spent too much time basking in the glow of the Super Bowl win and not enough time figuring out ways to combat offensive coordinators who spent the entire offseason studying how to beat his schemes. This will be a very pivotal season for Capers. His defenses in Carolina, Houston and Miami peaked early and then regressed. We’ll soon find out whether this is a coincidence or a trend. If it’s the latter, Green Bay may be looking for a new DC a lot sooner than expected.

Left tackle - The Packers will have a new player protecting the quarterback’s blind side for the first time since 2000. Chad Clifton is out and either Marshall Newhouse, Derek Sherrod or Andrew Datko is in. All three young players have potential, but none is a proven commodity. Newhouse survived in 13 starts last season, but he wasn’t very good. The former TCU star gave up 10.5 sacks. Sherrod struggled mightily in training camp, but showed improvement later in the regular season. Unfortunately, his progress was halted by a severely broken leg. Datko is a natural pass protector, but he’s also a rookie with a shaky shoulder. The Packers don’t need a stud left tackle since Rodgers has such a quick release and such terrific mobility, but they can’t have a human turnstile at the position either.

Post-Draft Pack Should Be Better On D

Posted by Michael Rodney at 2:43 pm 10 Responses »

Apr 302012

Second-round pick Hayward could be the No. 3 cornerback

Ted Thompson watched his defense go from good to historically bad in 12 months and he wasn’t going to sit back and do nothing. Green Bay’s normally conservative GM signed twice-suspended Anthony Hargrove as a free agent in March and then traded up two times in the draft to procure help for his team’s feeble pass rush and leaky secondary. It remains to be seen how these springtime moves play out in the fall, but at least on paper, the defense sure looks a lot better today than it did two months ago.

Here’s my position-by-position look at the post-draft Green Bay Packers:

QUARTERBACK- The Packers needed to draft a rookie to challenge Graham Harrell for the backup job. Seventh-round draft choice B.J. Coleman could be that player if he’s able to make a quick transition from Tennessee-Chattanooga to the National Football League. He has all the physical traits a team looks for in a young quarterback, but his numbers in college were surprisingly pedestrian. I have no idea whether that’s more a reflection on Coleman or on his supporting cast. Either way, his development under coach Mike McCarthy, offensive coordinator Tom Clements and quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo will be fascinating to watch.

RUNNING BACK- Thompson didn’t draft at this position for the fourth time since taking over as GM in 2005. That leaves James Starks, Alex Green and Brandon Saine as the top three entering the first minicamp. It also leaves the door open for Ryan Grant’s return, but only if the former 1,200 yard rusher is willing to accept a deal for around the league minimum. If he’s not, the Packers should be fine without him. Remember, this team won a Super Bowl with John Kuhn and Brandon Jackson combining for nearly 300 carries. Speaking of Kuhn, he’ll return as the starting fullback.

TIGHT END- Even with Andrew Quarless likely to being the regular season on the PUP list, Thompson didn’t draft at this position. Perhaps that’s because he believes D.J. Williams and Ryan Taylor are ready to contribute on offense after spending the majority of their rookie seasons on special teams. Williams is the more natural receiver of the two, but Taylor showed better instincts and more toughness last summer. Another young player to keep an eye on is undrafted free agent Eric Flair. The athletic and versatile former Gopher figures to get a look at both tight end and fullback.

WIDE RECEIVER- Based on past history, it was a little surprising that Thompson didn’t draft a wide receiver. Then again, Tori Gurley and Diondre Borel probably have as much potential as any of the wide receivers picked on day 3. The Packers also added a pair of undrafted free agents. Marcus Rivers (Buffalo) and former basketball player turned football star Dale Moss (South Dakota St.) are intriguing prospects. Both measure in at 6’3 and run in the low 4.5s.

OFFENSIVE LINE- Thompson finally drafted an offensive lineman in the seventh round, but Andrew Datko isn’t going to add much-needed depth at guard and center. The former Florida State star is strictly a tackle. Right now, Evan Dietrich-Smith is the No. 1 backup at all three interior positions. He did OK in two starts at right guard last season, but this is the same player that was released by the Packers in September 2010. Second-year men Ray Dominguez and Sampson Genus will also be in the mix. The former is a college tackle who’s still learning to play inside. The latter has plenty of experience inside, but is barely six-feet tall. With such dubious depth, undrafted free agents Jaymes Brooks (Virginia Tech) and Don Barclay (West Virginia) figure to get long looks in the months to come.

DEFENSIVE LINE- If you think you were frustrated watching Jarius Wynn, C.J. Wilson and Mike Neal attempt to rush the quarterback last season, imagine how Thompson felt. Well, you don’t have to imagine. He told you exactly how frustrated he was by drafting two defensive linemen in the first four rounds. Second-round pick Jerel Worthy doesn’t have prototypical size to play end in a 3-4, but he has prototypical power and quickness to rush the QB. Fourth-round pick Mike Daniels doesn’t have prototypical size to play any position in a 3-4, but he also can rush the quarterback. See the pattern? Along with free agent Anthony Hargrove, the inside pass rush should be markedly better in 2012.

LINEBACKER- I may not be the biggest Nick Perry fan in the world, but after complaining for two years about Thompson’s refusal to draft a partner for Clay Matthews, I can’t complain too much. There’s no question the former USC star will make the Packers better at right outside linebacker; just how much better remains to be seen. Perry is a terrific athlete, but he ran hot and cold in college. It’ll be up to assistant coach Kevin Green to keep the heat turned up. Thompson traded up to get Terrell Manning in the fifth round. The former North Carolina State star projects inside. He probably won’t play much in the base defense, but he could be used as a rusher in certain packages. Along with returnees D.J. Smith, Jamari Lattimore and Vic So’oto, the competition at this position should be intense.

DEFENSIVE BACK- Thompson traded up to get Casey Hayward in the second round, and the former Vanderbilt star will be expected to challenge Sam Shields for the No. 3 cornerback job. Hayward doesn’t run nearly as well as Shields, but he’s a better tackler and a more cerebral player. That means an awful lot to coaches who had to watch corners miss tackles and blow assignments week after week in 2011. Last year’s fourth-round pick, Davon House, will also be in the picture. You wouldn’t normally give a rookie from Maine much of a chance to win a starting job, but that’s not the case with Jerron McMillian. The speedy fourth-round pick will be given every opportunity to unseat journeyman Charlie Peprah at safety. Young veterans M.D. Jennings and Anthony Levine will also be in the mix.

SPECIALISTS- The Packers are in very good shape with kicker Mason Crosby, punter Tim Masthay and long snapper Bret Goode. There was no need to draft a specialist, and any undrafted free agents signed will be camp bodies only.